GEELONG have gone down to Adelaide by six points in a high-scoring overtime WNBL thriller at SA State Basketball Centre on Friday last week.<\/p>\n
In the first match of a three-game road trip, the Venom clawed back in the second half but were unable to fire in the extra period, losing 99-93 in an exciting affair.<\/p>\n
After a seesawing first half, the Lightning took a six-point lead into the main break thanks to a late run.<\/p>\n
Geelong steadied in the third term and outscored Adelaide by eight points, with a steal and score from Jaz Shelley giving them a two-point lead with one quarter to play.<\/p>\n
Returning star Shyla Heal saved the day in the fourth quarter, making two clutch buckets including a shifty game-tying layup to send the match into overtime.<\/p>\n
In the extra period, the Venom were forced into making costly turnovers and Lightning gun Stella Talbot led her side to pull away for the win.<\/p>\n
The loss was soured by a knee injury to starter Gemma Potter, with Geelong later confirming that she had suffered a torn ACL for the third time in her career. The 23-year-old will now miss the remainder of the season.<\/p>\n
Heal proved crucial in her debut for the Venom, scoring 16 points in limited playing time, while Mackenzie Holmes continued her dominant season to date with 21 points, nine rebounds and five steals.<\/p>\n
Shelley also stuffed the stat sheet, adding 24 points, six assists and five steals.<\/p>\n
For Adelaide, Talbot poured in 32 points and nine rebounds, and Sania Feagin had 22 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds, four blocks and three steals in an impressive performance on both ends.<\/p>\n
Geelong went down to Sydney by three points yesterday (Wednesday, November 26) and will face Bendigo on December 5 to round out their road trip, before returning home to take on Canberra at The Geelong Arena next weekend.<\/p>\n
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GEELONG have gone down to Adelaide by six points in a high-scoring overtime WNBL thriller at SA State Basketball Centre on Friday last week. In the first match of a three-game road trip, the Venom clawed back in the second half but were unable to fire in the extra period, losing 99-93 in an exciting […]<\/p>\n